Nature love nudges girl to conserve environment

By Allan Olingo

Ferdosa Ali-Odi can take on anyone who does not understand how important the environment is to humanity.

Sixteen-year-old Ferdosa recently earned the title ‘young Wangari Maathai’ after she spoke passionately about the environment at the launch of the ‘Zebra in the Red Heels’ exhibition.

Because of their commitment to preserve the environment, various organisations including Safaricom and Bella Matata Productions initiated the Plant for the Planet foundation where 12 local artists pledge to plant trees for every artwork sold.

“I come from the Korogocho slums that neighbours the Dandora dumping site. This site accommodates all the garbage in Nairobi. Due to harmful fumes from the site, many lives are at risk as the smoke causes chronic diseases,” says Ferdosa.

Her speech was about the environment, deforestation, waste disposal and the need for conserving the environment for a healthy future.

“As children, we have realised that it is important to be ready to sacrifice what we are, for what we can be. We are the agents of change and together we can conquer all the odds and save the environment for our future,” she said during her presentation.

Ferdosa is a member of Child Peace Kenya, an agency which helps children realise their potential and exercise their freedom of expression.

Says Ferdosa: “At the organisation, we have come up with different initiatives such as the Kengele children’s magazine and we also have a radio programme broadcast by a community radio station. Through this, I realise that even if we live in a slum, we deserve to live in a better environment.”

Change perception

“I look at the poor state of the environment within my neighbourhood as a challenge, what if we change our perception and take care of the places we live in? Would it make a big difference not only for us but for the future?” she poses.

Ferdosa says the northern part of Kenya used to have pleasing climate and the weather patterns could be predicted. Wild animals roamed the area during her parents’ youth. But now what it is only vast, desolate land.

Reverse time

“Sometimes I wish I could reverse the time but since this is not possible, I can only protect and conserve the present by planting more trees. Whenever I go back to Garissa, I encourage people to plant trees so that we can create greenery. I also help organise my fellow age mates in collecting the litters and educate them on the importance of living within a clean neighbourhood,” says Ferdosa.

So where did she get this passion to be an environment activist?

“When I joined the Plant for the Planet Foundation, I met people who were passionate about environment matters. One of them was a boy from Germany, Felix Finkbeiner. He made me learn that the tree I plant now will give future generations a secure and habitable environment.”

When we visited her school, Excel Girls’ High School in Kitengela, Kajiado County, her principal Julia Mbae spoke well of Ferdosa.

“I noticed that’s she loves the environment. She ensures the other students do not litter the compound but if it happens, she won’t hesitate to clean it up. It is impressive given that she is just in her first form,” says Mbae.

Ferdosa, whose dream is to become a lawyer, has already started an environment club within the school that she hopes will encourage fellow students start a green future by planting trees.

As a lawyer she hopes to fight for children’s rights.

“I have lived in the slums and have seen the atrocities that children go through. They are mistreated, abused and they have no one to stand up for them. I want to be their hope, their lawyer,” she says.